April 2016
Eiger Direct 50th anniversary
50th years later, EIGER International would like to pay tribute to the extraordinary team achivement of 5 remarkable rock climbers – Dougal Haston, Jörg Lehne, Sigi Hupfauer, Günther Strobel and Roland Votteler and to the summit photograph and climber, Chris Bonington, who opened the "Eiger Direct" line on Eiger's North Face on March 25, 1966.
In March 1966, two rival teams of American, British and German climbers had spent 4 weeks attempting to climb the direct route up the North Face of the Eiger. Sometimes they followed parallel lines, sometimes they shared the same route, but they were equally affected by their repeated setbacks. However, after the death of John Harlin, the leader of the American/British team on March 22, the two teams decided not to give up and to pool their talents and strengths. So the decision was made that a group of 5 climbers, one American and four Germans, will continue to the summit together.
After three dramatic days, the 5 climbers of the joint teams succeeded to cope with great difficulties i.e. the most adverse weather conditions, lack of alpine glacier-climbing equipment, lack of protection equipment, inadequate clothing, lack of food & drink. Finally, notwithstanding the severe injuries sustained by some team members, despite thirst, hunger and frostbite, but thanks to their passion and team spirit, which are two core values that shape Eiger International’s culture, they found the way to get out of this predicament, reached the top of the Eiger and thus achieved their dream.
In March 1966, two rival teams of American, British and German climbers had spent 4 weeks attempting to climb the direct route up the North Face of the Eiger. Sometimes they followed parallel lines, sometimes they shared the same route, but they were equally affected by their repeated setbacks. However, after the death of John Harlin, the leader of the American/British team on March 22, the two teams decided not to give up and to pool their talents and strengths. So the decision was made that a group of 5 climbers, one American and four Germans, will continue to the summit together.
After three dramatic days, the 5 climbers of the joint teams succeeded to cope with great difficulties i.e. the most adverse weather conditions, lack of alpine glacier-climbing equipment, lack of protection equipment, inadequate clothing, lack of food & drink. Finally, notwithstanding the severe injuries sustained by some team members, despite thirst, hunger and frostbite, but thanks to their passion and team spirit, which are two core values that shape Eiger International’s culture, they found the way to get out of this predicament, reached the top of the Eiger and thus achieved their dream.